IND vs AFG: Ricky Ponting Backs Virat Kohli To Equal Sachin Tendulkar's Record For Most Centuries In ICC World Cup 2023

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting backed Virat Kohli to equal Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in the ODIs in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. He believes that the current Indian batter is in great touch and there’s a great chance of him reaching the record.

Virat Kohli is on the verge of creating history. The linchpin of the Indian batting lineup is just three tons away from creating the World record and surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in ODIs. The right-hander has smashed 47 tons so far whereas Tendulkar ended his career with 49 hundreds.

Virat Kohli has been in the fine form of late. The batter after having been silent for three years made a rollicking comeback and continued scoring runs like he used to do. He’s currently playing for India in the ICC World Cup 2023 and he kick-started his campaign on high.

Virat Kohli smashed a blistering 85 runs under pressure and took India home. In the run-chase of 200 runs, India was 2/3 and he stepped up. The batter soaked all the pressure and batted magnificently to make sure that India started the tournament on high.

While talking about Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI centuries, Ricky Ponting made a bold prediction. He said that Virat Kohli will definitely equal the record in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023. He added that the Indian batter deserves all this as he has been doing a lot of hard work. Speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review podcast, he explained:

“I think he will. I think he’ll definitely get two hundreds, whether he gets the three is another thing. But the venues, the wickets and the grounds in India are just so conducive to scoring, and making big runs. Who knows with him, it’s probably his last World Cup as well.

“If he gets that mindset, and we saw that he’s in pretty good touch, and we know with him he’s always hungry. He’s a winner, he wants success for himself and his team.

“There is every chance at the end of this World Cup he could be equal with, if not breaking Sachin’s record, which is remarkable within itself. Forty-nine one-day international hundreds is amazing. But he deserves that, he works hard.”

IND vs AFG: “So I’d never write him off,” Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli

Ricky Ponting further talked about Virat Kohli’s bad patch and highlighted his intensity on the field. He said that he would never write him off and he would bring first pick in his team. He explained:

“You watch him even in the field, game one, he just looks ultra fit, is up for the contest every ball whether it’s in the field or with these batting hands. So I’d never write him off.”

“His record speaks for itself, when you get hundreds chasing, most of those in winning causes. He’d be my first pick by the length of the straight.”

Virat Kohli will be next seen in action when India takes on Afghanistan in their second match of the ICC World Cup 2023 on 11th October in Delhi.